Grand Island pilot Robert F. Mesmer has drawn a step closer to getting his
private aircraft off the ground after the town's Planning Board on Monday
recommended approval of a site plan for a proposed airstrip at his Love
Road property.

The board gave its unanimous approval on condition that the state
Department of Transportation give its blessing to a proposed pond on the
property and the lengthening of the runway by 330 feet beyond the original
proposal.

The private grass airstrip, which has generated considerable
controversy among many of Mesmer's neighbors, would be on Mesmer's 16-acre
property.

Final approval of the site plan by the Town Board is now all that
remains before Mesmer could begin construction.

Town Supervisor Peter A. McMahon expects that the Town Board will not
act on the Planning Board's referral until after confirmation is received
from the state DOT about the conditions placed on the recommendation.

"It's not uncommon that the Planning Board will approve something
with conditions rather then make an application wait a whole month because
they only meet once a month," McMahon said. "(But) until we've
got some kind of confirmation that conditions have been satisfied, I don't
think it will be approved."

The first issue is whether Mesmer can also proceed with plans to dig a
large pond on the same 16-acre site where the airstrip is proposed. The
Planning Board raised concerns that geese or other waterfowl could be
attracted to such an area, creating potential hazards for the aircraft.

The length of the proposed airstrip is also at issue. Mesmer's original
plans called for a 1,470-foot landing strip. That has been extended to
1,800 feet under revised plans. Planning Board members say Mesmer must
seek approval from the state DOT for the alteration.

However, opponents of the runway, including Chuck Goris of Alt
Boulevard, say Mesmer's plan to lengthen the landing strip was not
included in the original environmental-impact statement. "If (Mesmer)
wants 1,800 feet," Goris said, "I think he's got to reapply for
it."